Backflow

Backflow Prevention Program

The city of Wadsworth began an active backflow prevention program in June of 1995. The focus of this program is to insure proper safeguards are in place to protect the city's water supply from potential contamination imposed through cross connections. A cross connection is any arrangement of piping which would allow any non-potable water into the city's potable water supply. Examples of this would include but are not limited to:

Backflow Prevention Equipment

If you have a newer sillcock with an integral vacuum breaker built in, this is not necessary. This is obvious by the round cap on the top.

Backflow can occur when either a "back siphonage" or "back pressure" condition exists. Back siphonage occurs when a vacuum is introduced into the piping system; just like drinking through a straw in a glass. A hose in a car radiator could be like that straw drawing anti-freeze from the radiator during the right conditions such as:

Water main breaks

Hydrant use during fire fighting

Backpressure may occur when a water user has a greater water pressure than the public water supply. This would be created by boilers, chillers, or an attached pressurized container holding soaps, degreasers, anti-freeze or other non-potable materials. Each situation requires the appropriate device.

Questions

Questions concerning cross connection control and backflow protection may be directed to your local plumbing contractor or the Backflow Division of the city Utility Department at 330-335-2831.